Junko Mizuno Brings ‘Takarabune’ to Gallery Nucleus

Japanese manga artist Junko Mizuno depicts the “Seven Lucky Gods,” a once-disparate group of deities that became a unit through Japanese art history, in a new show at Alhambra, Calif.’s Gallery Nucleus. Although not traditionally this way, “Takarabune” transforms all of these gods of fortune into women, translated in Mizuno’s vibrant style. The show runs through Jan. 8 at the gallery. Mizuno was last featured on HiFructose.com here.

A release from the gallery speaks to how the gods have evolved over the years: “During the course of its history, the mutual influence between gods has created confusion about which of them was the patron of certain professions. The worship of this group of gods is also due to the importance of the number seven in Japan, which is supposedly a bearer of good luck.”

The Dec. 17 opening of exhibition featured dresses and accessories that took influence from Junko’s work, as well as Shamisen and Taiko musicians and burlesque dancers, speaking to the amalgamation that is the artist’s own craft. Mizuno, as an author, is behind several graphic novels that remix classic fables and mythology, from Cinderella to the Little Mermaid. Aside from also producing personal gallery work, her reach extends to designs in the high-end sphere of fashion.